Roseville to Macquarie Park

This walk starts at Roseville station and explores the streets and alleyways of Roseville before joining the main spine of the Great North Walk at Fullers Bridge. Here you head deeper into the bush to explore the eastern bank on the Lane Cove River. There is a great diversity of mostly dry forest and some great sandstone rock formation, as well as a side trip to Blue Hole to enjoy. Soon after Blue hole you leave the river (and GNW) to cross over De Burghs Bridge, past a few cafes and restaurants to find Macquarie Park railway station.

(0km) Roseville Train Station → Int. Shirley Rd and The Rifleway

410 m

9 mins

15m

-24m

Easy track

From the small shop[1] on the bridge over Roseville Station, this walk heads towards the garden shop[2] and the Pacific Highway, keeping the main station to your right. This walk then crosses the highway at the traffic lights[3] and turns right. After about 40 metres (just past ‘James Cafe’[4]), this walk turns left into an alleyway[5]. The walk continues down the lane for approximately 50m to then cross Larkin Lane, coming to the top of some steps[6] (on the left of a green power box).Continue straight: From near the end of Larkin Lane, this walk heads past the green power box and down the pedestrian laneway steps[7]. After approximately 60m, the lane leads down some more steps[8] to find an intersection with another concrete footpath on the other side of Larkin St.Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the steps, beside number 4 Larkin St[9]. From the bottom of the steps, the walk heads along the pedestrian alley[10] for about 40m, and then crosses a 60m long bridge[11]. On the other side of the bridge, this walk continues up the alley[12] for about 80m, coming to an intersection with Shirley Rd[13][14].

(0.41km) Int. Shirley Rd and The Rifleway → Longford St Steps

970 m

19 mins

3m

-46m

Very easy

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk crosses Shirley Rd[15] then follows the footpath downhill for about 150m to then cross ‘Alston Way’[16]. The walk continues down beside Shirley Rd for about 700m (veering left at ‘Abingdon Rd’[17]) to come to the signposted intersection with ‘Longford St’[18] (on the right).Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down along ‘Longford St’[19] for about 100m to come to the top of the ‘Valley View Cl’ steps[20] (on the left), just past No.31.

(1.38km) Longford St steps → Int. Blue Gum Ck and Greville St Trks

520 m

12 mins

1m

-45m

Moderate track

Turn left: From Longford St, this walk follows the ‘Valley View Cl’ sign[21] down the steps beside No.31. At the bottom of these steps[22], the footpath[23] continues downhill for another 50m to come to Valley View Close[24] (to find another path on the other side of the road).Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the steps[25] (with a handrail) down between houses No.12 and 14[26]. At the back of the houses[27], this walk turns left and follows the track[28] for about 50m to pass a ‘Lane Cove National Park’ sign[29]. Then about 130m past this sign, this walk comes to an intersection with a faint track[30] (on your left) marked with a National Park arrow post[31].Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the National Park arrow post[32] south along the clear track, keeping the valley to your right. After about 50m, the track leads down some stone steps[33] then continues down for about 80m through the denser vegetation[34] to cross the bouldery and sandy[35] Blue Gum Creek. A short distance after crossing the creek, this walk heads up to a T-intersection marked with a ‘Blue Gum Creek Track’ sign[36] (pointing back down to ‘Valley View Close’[37]).

(1.9km) Int. Blue Gum Ck and Greville St Trks → Koonjeree Middle Trk

810 m

13 mins

9m

-17m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the face of the ‘Blue Gum Creek Track’ sign[38] (following neither of the arrows). The track meanders through the trees, winding past some rocky ruins[39] for approximately 120m to come to a grassy clearing, just before a concrete (sewerage) bridge[40].Continue straight: From the clearing, this walk follows the grassy trail under the sewerage bridge[41] and continues for about 300m to come to a larger clearing and picnic shelter[42] in Fullers Park. This walk continues along the grassy trail[43] on the edge of the park, then heads up the short sealed driveway[44] past the ‘Lane Cove National Park – Fullers Park’ sign[45], and around the locked gate[46] to come to Lady Game Drive. Here the walk turns left and follows the grassy verge[47] for about 40m to come to the intersection of Delhi Rd and Lady Game Dr.Turn right: From the corner, this walk crosses Lady Game Drive[48] at the traffic lights, heading towards Fullers Bridge[49].Continue straight: From the corner of Lady Game Drive and Delhi Rd, this walk follows the footpath beside Delhi Rd, across Fullers Bridge[50]. Just on the far side of the bridge, this walk comes to an intersection with a footpath[51] (and steps, on your right) about 15m before the bus stop shelter[52].Turn right: From the intersection between the bus stop and bridge, this walk heads down the steps[53] (away from the road) to almost immediately come to an intersection with another footpath[54].Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads along the concrete footpath[55], away from the bridge, whilst keeping the river to your right. The path leads along the edge of ‘Koonjeree picnic area’[56] until just past the ‘Crossing the Lane Cove River’ information sign[57], where this walk comes to an intersection with another footpath[58] (leading through the middle of the picnic area).

Koonjeree Picnic Area

Koonjeree Picnic Area[59] is at the southern end of Lane Cove National Park, just near Fullers Bridge. The picnic area boasts free gas barbecues, flushing toilets[60][61][62], town tap water, picnic tables and shelters[63], a large open area[64] and car parking[65]. On the bank of the Lane Cove River[66], this is a pleasant spot to enjoy the park.

(2.71km) Koonjeree Middle Trk → Lane Cove Weir South

100 m

2 mins

1m

-1m

Very easy

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[67] along the concrete footpath[68], keeping the river just to your right. The path leads around the edge of the clearing and comes to a T-intersection with a road[69], just beside the weir[70] (on your right).

Lane Cove Weir

The Lane Cove River Weir was built in 1938 during the depression. The motivation for building the lake was to make the area more apealing for visitors’ picnics. The weir created environmental issues such as silting and a decline in native fish populations. In much more recent years, a ‘fish ladder’[72] has been construcuted to allow fish to undertake their natural migration route for breeding. The weir proved an easy way for walkers to cross the Lane Cove River whilst enjoying the views up[74] and downstream[75].

(2.81km) Lane Cove Weir South → Int. Great North Walk near Naamaroo

350 m

7 mins

15m

-1m

Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[76] across the top of the weir[77] to another GNW arrow post[78] at the top of the steps (on your right), just on the other side of the weir. After heavy or prolonged rain this crossing may be closed if water is flowing over the top.Turn right: From the north side of the weir, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[79] along the edge of the picnic area, keeping the water to your right. The footpath leads past the picnic shelter[80] and rubbish bins[81], coming to a T-intersection with Max Allen Drive[82], just beside the bridge (on your right) and to the ‘Great North Walk’ track head signs[83][84].Turn left: From the bridge, this walk heads gently uphill along the road[85] to the intersection with the visible concrete stairs just below the National Parks Office[86].Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the road uphill, keeping the short sandstone wall and National Parks office on your left[87]. The road soon bends left and leads up past the staff parking[88], to an intersection (with a track on your right) marked with a large ‘Great North Walk’ sign[89].

(3.16km) Int. Great North Walk near Naamaroo → Southern Int. Bradfield Rd and Great North Walk

450 m

10 mins

36m

-3m

Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[90] up the timber steps away from the road. The track passes a ‘Caution – Swimming in Lane Cover River is not advisable…’ sign[91] and then comes to an intersection with a wider management trail[92].Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide trail uphill[93], initially keeping the cliff line to your right[94]. The trail bends right then leads uphill for about 130m, coming to an intersection (just below the power lines) where a ‘Park Visitors Centre’ sign[95] points back down the hill.Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follow the ‘Blue Hole – Fiddens Wharf’ sign[96] and power line[97] up along the wide management trail. Just as the trail flattens out, this walk comes to an signposted intersection with a narrower track[98] (on your left).Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow posts[99] down the timber steps. The track gently meanders through the open forest[100] for a short time then heads up a few steps to come to a T-intersection[101] with a sealed road.Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow[102] down along the road for a short distance and comes to another signposted intersection[103] with a track (on your right).

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the NPWS arrow[104] up the timber steps, away from the road. The track soon leads down[105] a longer set of timber steps where the track meanders[106] through the bush, passing a few rocky outcrops[107][108] before heading down the another series of timber stairs. Just beyond these steps, the track leads to a T-intersection[109] with a wide management trail, marked with a ‘Sandstone Hillslope Community’ information sign[110][111].Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the upper arrow on the historic walk sign post[112], gently uphill along the wide trail. The trail leads through the casuarina forest[113] for about 30m then passes the ‘Scribbly Gum’ information sign[114]. The trail then bends left and leads downhill, narrowing significantly[115]. Here the track heads down a series of timber steps[116] to pass a ‘Sydney Red Gum’ information sign[117]. The track then crosses the ferny gully and passes the ‘Sandstone Gully Community’[118] and then the ‘Sydney Peppermint’[119] information signs. From here, the track leads across another gully[120] then up and along the side of a steep hill (with an unfenced cliff to your left[121]) for about 70m, coming to a rock platform with a ‘Blackbutts’ information sign[122]. Here the walk leads down the staircase[123] and stone path for a short time and crosses the ‘weedy’[124][125] creek on a short timber boardwalk[126]. The now flat track leads for another 50m to a signposted intersection (with some steps on your right), where a ‘Visitor Centre Loop’ sign[127] points back along the track.

(4.84km) Fiddens Wharf Oval Trk → Sandstone caves

1.6 km

32 mins

62m

-49m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Blue Hole’ sign[128] across the flat timber boardwalk bridge[129], keeping the river to your left. After about 60m, the track passes a small sandstone overhang[130] then crosses a section of timber boardwalk[131], heading over the rock[132] to a small beach beside the Lane Cove River[133].
The track then continues along the river bank[134] for about 120m to then turn right up a side gully, crossing the creek on a timber footbridge[135]. The track then leads up a short but steep set of timber steps[136], where the track flattens out to come to a signposted intersection. Here the walk continues straight, following the ‘Blue Hole’ sign[137] over the small rise then back down to the bank of the river[138]. The rocky track follows the bank for about 250m, where the track climbs the hill[139] for a short time to follow the side of the hill around through the eucalypt and grass tree forest[140]. After about 230m, the track passes along the top of an unfenced cliff[141] (to your left). The track continues for just shy of 400m, passing a series of rock walls[142][143]. At the end of the clearest (and longest) rock wall[144], the track turns sharply right[145][146] and comes to the top of this rock wall.
From here, the walk turns left to lead over a rise, then crosses a small flat timber bridge[147]. The rocky track then continues to climb for 100m to come to an unfenced rock platform[148]. Turning right here, this walk climbs up[149] a little further to pass through a sandstone overhang[150], coming immediately to a second overhang which provides a bit more shelter[151].

Sandstone caves

This fairly large sandstone overhang is found on the eastern side of the Lane Cove Valley. The walking track leads through the two caves that run in series, with the northern cave being larger. The lip of the overhang hangs down a bit, providing some extra protection from wind and rain. The cave also provide some shade and a cooler spot on hot days, and there are also a couple of well placed boulders forming nice seats[152].

(6.39km) Sandstone caves → Int. Great North Walk and Blue Hole Trk

660 m

16 mins

34m

-44m

Hard track

Continue straight: From the cave[153], this walk follows the track along the side of the hill, keeping the valley down to your left. The track soon follows along the base of long sandstone wall[154] (on your right) for about 130m and passes around the right-hand side of a large cube boulder[155] (know as ‘The Block’). The track leads across a mossy and rocky gully[157] then uphill to pass through a long tunnel-like sandstone overhang[158][159], and along the base of another long sandstone wall[160]. At the end of this wall, the track leads up some rocky steps[161] and then leads gently through the open forest[162] for about 50m before passing under some power lines[163]. The track soon leads up some steps[164], coming to a signposted T-intersection with a management trail[165], where a GNW arrow points back along the track[166].Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Great North Walk – Deburghs Bridge’ sign[167] downhill along the wide management trail. The trail soon bends right and follows the power lines[168] down, stepping over a partially buried, green metal pipeline[169] (sometimes hissing[170]). After this, the trail follows a GNW arrow[171] left as the trail significantly narrows and leads down a series of timbers steps[172] then across the rocky Blackbutt Creek[173][174]. Here, the walk follows the GNW arrow up onto the rock platform[175], where the track turns left then leads along the flat to a T-intersection with a GNW arrow post[176], and a set of steps[177] (up to your right AND down to your left).

(7.05km) Int. Great North Walk and Blue Hole Trk → Blue Hole

30 m

0m

0m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads straight down the timber steps[178]. Partway down the hill, metal steps[179] lead between a couple of rocks, where the track then comes to a sandy beach[180] and water hole, ‘Blue Hole’ on the Lane Cover River, in view of Deburghs Bridge[181]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.

Blue Hole

Blue Hole[182] is found in the Lane Cove River, downstream of De Burghs Bridge[183]. Within Lane Cove National Park this small pleasent waterhole has a flat rock and small sandy beach[184] on the north side of the river. The water is polluted by run-off and rubbish, especially after rain, so it is not suitable for swimming. It is still a pleasent place to relax and enjoy the valley.

(7.05km) Int. Great North Walk and Blue Hole Trk → Int. Great North Walk and Ryde Rd Access Trk NE

120 m

2 mins

3m

0m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the GNW arrow post up the timber steps[185]. The track then leads up some stone steps[186] and comes to a three-way intersection, where a sign points back to ‘Lane Cove River Weir via Great North Walk’[187].

Easy track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Lane Cove River Weir via Riverside walk’ sign[188] up the steps with ‘GNW’ painted on them[189]. The walk then gently winds up for about 130m to pass a ‘Lane Cove National Park’ sign[190]. The walk turns left here, heading around the locked gate[191] to the edge of Lane Cove Rd[192], on the north side of DeBurghs Bridge[193].Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the concrete footpath downhill alongside Lane Cove Rd, passing under the large ‘Lane Cove National Park’ sign[194]. The walk then follows the footpath across ‘De Burghs Bridge’[195][196] to an intersection on the far side, marked with a NPWS arrow marker[197][198].Continue straight: From the south side of the bridge, this walk follows the grassy verge[199] beside Lane Cove Rd gently uphill along a worn track. The track leads up past some signs[200] for just over 250m to cross Riverside Drive[201] (a signposted entrance to ‘Lane Cove National Park’[202][203]) and find a concrete footpath on the other side[204]. Here, the walk follows the footpath beside the Lane Cove Rd for about 130m past a bus stop[205] then across the driveway[206] (at the traffic lights) to come to the intersection in front of ‘Eden Gardens’ nursery[207].

Eden Gardens

Eden Gardens is a popular plant nursery at the intersection of Fontenoy and Ryde Roads. It is a pleasant place to explore and is also home to ‘Dragonfly Cafe’. The cafe is open 7 days, 8:30am to 4pm (5pm on weekends) and serves a variety of hot and cold meals. PH: 9491 9900.
The centre is closed over Christmas and on News Year Day More info.

(8.02km) Eden Gardens → Macquarie Park Station

800 m

14 mins

13m

-9m

Easy track

Continue straight: From in front of ‘Eden Gardens’ nursery[209], this walk follows the concrete footpath[210] gently downhill alongside ‘Lane Cove Road’ to pass the large green road sign pointing to ‘Ryde’[211] after 50m. Here the walk continues down along the footpath[212] for another 60m, then follows the grassy verge to cross the bridge[213] over the M2. On the other side the bridge, this walk crosses the freeway on-ramp[214] (take care to check for traffic) and continue alongside Lane Cove Road for 100m (following a footpath) to cross ‘Talavera Rd’[215] at the traffic lights. About 130m further along beside Lane Cove Road, this footpath leads to shopping complex with a ‘McDonalds’[216], ‘KFC’[217], some other restaurants and sandwich shops[218]. Here, the walk continues along the footpath[219] for another 250m to cross ‘Waterloo Rd’ (just after the Shell servo, Coles Express[220]) and come to the the entrance of Macquarie Park train station[221].

Maps for the Roseville to Macquarie Park walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Roseville to Macquarie Park

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length

8.8 km

Time

3 hrs 30 mins

.

Grade 4/6

Hard track

AS 2156.1

Gradient

Short steep hills (3/6)

Quality of track

Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)

Signs

Directional signs along the way (3/6)

Experience Required

Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)

Weather

Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Infrastructure

Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

3.2km of this walk has short steep hills and another 2.8km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (2.8km) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

4km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2.2km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. Whilst another 2.2km follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 340m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

Around 5km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 3.3km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 7km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.9km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 9km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 5km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 3.4km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Roseville to Macquarie Park walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-lcnp-rtmp
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.
http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_weather_danger.php?walkid=nsw-lcnp-rtmp
Forecast snapshot